Flooring companies join forces to fund resilience scheme
15 of Australia’s leading floor covering companies have provided financial support to ResiLoop, which is recognized as Australia’s first national stewardship scheme for resilient flooring.
Thanks to funding from companies such as Interface, Tarkett, Polyflor and Milliken, ResiLoop is a product stewardship scheme focused on research and development in recycling to address the challenges presented by past, current and future consumption of resilient floor coverings, ensuring that recycled materials can be resilient . To be reused for other uses.
Initial funding was provided by the Federal Government for the scheme, with research initiated by the Australian Resilient Flooring Association (ARFA). A proposed approach was released in May, which addressed the approximately 60,000 tons of flooring waste generated annually from the installation and end-use of floor covering products.
“We are pleased to announce that all ARFA members, who represent 60 percent of market sales nationally, have agreed to make financial contributions proportional to their sales to support this ongoing work,” says Dan Lovell, ARFA President.
“We really appreciate the commitment of these companies, their willingness to step up and make this investment to help drive a circular future for floor coverings in Australia. These companies become founding members of ResiLoop Limited, the product stewardship organization that will manage the scheme.”
The likes of vinyl, linoleum and rubber tiles are around 30 years old, with the market growing significantly in recent years. The ResiLoop scheme is scheduled to come into effect in late 2024, and the key to its success will relate to confirming local end markets for recycling.
Chris Parker, managing director of Flobo Floorcoverings, has been announced as the inaugural president of the non-profit product management organization. He says industry support is key to ResiLoop’s success.
“ResiLoop is now in the transition phase, moving from being a proposed concept for industry to a live blueprint.”
Recycling trials will now take place over the next six months, with potential downstream applications for the recycled materials explored with interested parties. Governance arrangements will also be planned and implemented.
“None of this would be possible without the continued support of the Australian Government and the commitment of product suppliers to work collaboratively to find a solution,” Parker continues.
“Together, this gives us an opportunity to explore all potential avenues for recycling these materials in Australia.”
“If others in the market are interested in participating, they are welcome to contact us.”
